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Susceptibility of stable flies (Diptera:Muscidae) from southeastern Nebraska beef cattle feedlots to selected insecticides and comparison of 3 bioassay techniques.

Insecticide susceptibility of field populations of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), was assayed using 3 exposure techniques: treated filter papers, treated glass petri dishes, and topical applications. Both topical applications and residual exposure to treated glass surfaces were suitable for testing susceptibility of stable flies to permethrin, stirofos, or methoxychlor. Residues on filter papers yielded inconsistent results with stirofos and methoxychlor. Significant concentration-mortality regression lines were generated with permethrin residues on filter papers, but approximately 1,000 times more insecticide was required to produce a toxic response when compared with permethrin residues on glass. Because of higher variability in response and the greater amount of insecticide required, residues on filter papers do not appear appropriate to test insecticide susceptibility in stable flies. Paired comparisons of field (F) and susceptible (S) stable flies resulted in field to susceptible ratios significantly > 1.0 only when the flies were treated topically, which suggests that topical application is more sensitive than residues on glass for the insecticides tested. Topical treatment with permethrin resulted in one FS(LD90) of 1.8-fold. Topical treatment with methoxychlor resulted in one FS(LD90) of 3.4-fold. However, the magnitude of these ratios is not larger than the significant differences observed within the susceptible laboratory colony from one generation to another. Intense exposure to insecticides is not known to have occurred in these field populations, indicating that the observed differences are the result of natural variation among stable fly populations and unrelated to prior selection with insecticides.

Animals↗

Conserving vedalia beetle, Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in citrus: a continuing challenge as new insecticides gain registration.

The effects of insecticides used for California citrus pest management were evaluated using larval and adult stages of vedalia beetle, Rodolia cardinalis (Mulsant). This predatory beetle is essential for control of cottony cushion scale Icerya purchasi (Williston) (Homoptera: Margarodidae) in San Joaquin Valley citrus. When adult beetles were exposed to treated citrus leaves, adult survival was significantly reduced by the foliar neonicotinoid imidacloprid and the pyrethroid cyfluthrin. Progeny production was significantly reduced by imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, fenpropathrin, and buprofezin. Buprofezin, pyriproxifen, and foliar imidacloprid also significantly reduced successful development of larvae into the adult stage. When vedalia stages were fed insecticide-treated cottony cushion scale reared on Pittosporum tobira (Thunb.) Ait, toxic effects were more severe than contact toxicity alone. Adult beetle survival was most profoundly reduced by the pyrethroids and to a lesser extent the foliar neonicotinoids acetamiprid and imidacloprid. Progeny production and larval development to adulthood were reduced by all insecticides but were most severely affected by pyriproxifen and the pyrethroids. Systemically applied neonicotinoids were toxic to vedalia larvae feeding on cottony cushion scale that had ingested these insecticides. These data demonstrate that IGRs, neonicotinoid insecticides, and pyrethroid insecticides have a significant, negative impact on vedalia beetles. Depending on the rate of insecticide used, the number and timing of applications, and the level of coverage of the tree, disruption of vedalia can be minimized. However, the situation is made difficult when pests such as citrus thrips Scirtothrips citri (Moulton) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), forktailed bush katydid Scuddaria furcata Brunner von Wattenwyl (Orthoptera: Tettigoiniidae), or glassy-winged sharpshooter Homalodisca coagulata Say (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) require these pesticide treatments during periods of vedalia beetle activity.

Animals↗

Effects of two biorational insecticides, spinosad and methoxyfenozide, on Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions.

The toxicity of two biorational insecticides, spinosad (Tracer) and methoxyfenozide (RH-2485), was tested against eggs, larvae, and pupae of the noctuid Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval). In the first experiment, filter paper circles containing egg masses of two different age classes, young (<24 h old) and old (24-48 h old), were dipped in different concentrations of each insecticide diluted in either water or acetone. No ovicidal activity was recorded when insecticides were diluted in water. In contrast, when insecticides were diluted in acetone, both egg age classes generally showed a concentration-dependent response for both compounds. Mortality of larvae that hatched from both egg age classes was significantly increased, compared with control larvae, at all concentrations of both insecticides when diluted in water or acetone alike. The prevalence of mortality was similar with each insecticide. In the second experiment, third instars of S. littoralis were fed semisynthetic diet containing different concentrations of both insecticides. According to LC50 values, no significant differences were observed between spinosad (2.11 mg [AI]/kg diet) and methoxyfenozide (3.98 mg [AI]/kg diet) after 48 h of treatment, based on the overlap of 95% CL. Toxic effects on the mortality of pupae, adult emergence, and the prevalence of deformed adults after topical application on young pupae also were examined. Only methoxyfenozide caused pupal mortality and deformed adults. Our results suggest that spinosad and methoxyfenozide are potentially potent compounds for control of S. littoralis.

Animals↗

Stage-specific control of grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by selective and broad-spectrum insecticides.

The insect growth regulators (IGRs) tebufenozide and methoxyfenozide and the broad-spectrum insecticides azinphosmethyl, carbaryl, and fenpropathrin were compared for their activity against adult, egg, and larval stages of the grape berry moth, Endopiza viteana (Clemens) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), under laboratory and vineyard conditions. Adult mortality was not affected by exposure to field-equivalent rates of tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide on grape clusters, whereas all the broad-spectrum compounds significantly reduced adult survival, compared with the untreated controls. Surviving adult moths laid significantly more eggs on berries treated with the IGRs than on berries treated with any of the broad-spectrum insecticides. Survival of these eggs through to late larval and pupal stages was significantly lower on methoxyfenozide-treated grapes than on untreated grapes, and no pupae were found when grapes were treated with azinphosmethyl or fenpropathrin. Neither of the growth regulator insecticides limited egg eclosion or larval development by E. viteana when insecticides were applied before egg laying, whereas broad-spectrum insecticides were effective against both eggs and neonates at this timing. When applied after egg eclosion, all insecticide treatments significantly reduced survival of grape berry moth larvae. Under vineyard conditions, berries with 1-d-old residues of tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide received more E. viteana eggs than berries treated with broad-spectrum compounds. After aging for 7 or 14 d, no significant effects on E. viteana survival were detected among treatments. Whereas broad-spectrum insecticides provide control of multiple life stages of E. viteana, integration of tebufenozide or methoxyfenozide into vineyard management programs for control of this pest will be most successful if applications are timed for egg hatch.

Animals↗

Multi-country field trials comparing wash-resistance of PermaNet and conventional insecticide-treated nets against anopheline and culicine mosquitoes.

Insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) are commonly used as a means of personal protection from malaria transmission by anopheline mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have special treatments intended to remain effective after many washes. The present trials assessed the efficacy and wash-resistance of several production batches of PermaNet (polyester net coated with polymer resin containing pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin 55 mg ai/m2) against malaria vectors in Pakistan, Iran and Tanzania compared to ITNs conventionally treated with alphacypermethrin 15 or 20 mg ai/m2, or deltamethrin 25 or 50 mg ai/m2. Insecticidal efficacy of the nets before and after repeated washing (using W.H.O. recommended and traditional local washing procedures) was monitored through contact bioassays with Anopheles and by experimental hut and outdoor platform tests. Local washing regimes gradually reduced the insecticidal efficacy of conventionally treated nets, but they were not exhausted, even after 21 washes. Using a more rigorous laboratory washing method, insecticide was more readily stripped from conventionally treated nets. PermaNet retained high efficacy after 21 washes, giving more than 97% mortality of Anopheles in contact bioassays with 3-min exposure. Using the more sensitive bioassay criterion of 'median time to knockdown', PermaNet showed no loss of insecticidal activity against Anopheles after washing repeatedly in 2 out of 6 trials; whereas in a further three trials knockdown activity of PermaNet and conventional ITNs declined at comparable rates. Higher mortality levels of Anopheles in contact bioassays did not always translate to superiority in experimental hut or enclosed platform trials. In only one of four comparative field trials did PermaNet out-perform conventional ITNs after washing: this was in the trial of PermaNet 2.0--the product with improved quality assurance. Because PermaNet and conventionally treated nets were both quite tolerant of local washing procedures, it is important in field trials to compare LLINs with conventional ITNs washed an equivalent number of times. Our comparison of PermaNet 2.0 against conventionally treated deltamethrin nets (CTDN) in Pakistan demonstrated superior performance of the LLIN after 20 washes in phase I and phase II bioassays, and this was corroborated by chemical assays of residual deltamethrin. Although PermaNet 2.0 has received WHOPES interim recommendation for malaria control purposes, its performance should be monitored in everyday use throughout its lifespan in various cultural settings to assess its durability and long-term effectiveness for malaria prevention and control. As many millions of conventionally treated nets are already in routine use, and these will require regular re-treatment, programme strategies should be careful to preserve the effectiveness of ITNS before and after establishing the reliability of LLINs in long-term use.

Animals↗

Biology in the chemical industry: scientific approaches to the problem of insecticide resistance, 1920s - 1960s.

This paper examines the intensification of research and development into organic and inorganic insecticidal compounds during the first half of the twentieth century, and the involvement of biologists within the insecticide industry. It attempts to trace the history of resistance research, while highlighting the role of the biologist within the chemical industry prior to the biotechnology era.Specifically, this paper looks at the reaction of two private companies on the finding of resistance to insecticides: Geigy and Bayer. Geigy, who discovered the insecticidal properties of DDT, initially attributed resistance to ineffective application of insecticides or variable external factors. Only after doubling of the amount of DDT had failed to achieve the desired result, did the company undertake a biological research programme in an effort to understand resistance from a biological - as opposed to chemical - perspective. Ultimately, scientists both inside and outside the industry accepted the biological fact of resistance and the realisation that chemical control by itself would not be able to circumvent an insect population's ability to tolerate lethal dosages of chemical insecticides. The shift in the insecticide industry's approach to biological research is instructive in understanding how industry can approach complex issues.

Biology↗

Assessing estrogenic activity of pyrethroid insecticides using in vitro combination assays.

Pyrethroid insecticides are among the most commonly used classes of insecticides worldwide, but their endocrine disrupting activities remain unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the estrogenic activities of pyrethroid insecticides in E-screen and competition binding assays. In addition, we measured estrogen receptor (ER) protein and pS2 mRNA levels in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 BUS) to clarify the mechanism of their estrogenicity. Seven pyrethroid insecticides (bioallethrine, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin, sumithrin, and tetramethrin) were tested because of their worldwide usage. In addition, 17beta-estradiol was tested as a positive control. As expected, 17beta-estradiol significantly increased MCF-7 BUS cell proliferation at concentrations of 10(-11) M and above. Of the pyrethroid insecticides tested, only sumithrin increased MCF-7 BUS cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner; the maximum induction of cell proliferation was observed at a dose of 10(-5) M. In the anti-estrogenic activity test, bioallethrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin significantly inhibited 17beta-estradiol-induced MCF-7 BUS cell proliferation at 10(-6) M, a concentration comparable to the effective dose (10(-9) M) of ICI 182,780, a pure ER antagonist. However, none of the pyrethroid insecticides competitively inhibited the binding of [(3)H]estradiol to rat uterus ERs in competition binding assays. Both 17beta-estradiol (10(-10) M) and sumithrin (10(-5) M) decreased the levels of cytosolic ERalpha and ERbeta protein expression significantly as compared with the vehicle control. In addition, 17beta-estradiol (10(-10) M) increased pS2 mRNA expression markedly, and sumithrin significantly increased pS2 mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner. The other six compounds tested in the present study did not affect ER protein levels or pS2 mRNA levels. These results suggest that certain pyrethroid insecticides may be considered to be estrogen-like chemicals that act through pathways other than direct ER binding, and may function as endocrine modulators in both wildlife and humans.

Animals↗

[Neurologic involvement caused by insecticides. Study of chronic manifestations in 13 cases].

The clinical study of 13 patients with chronic neurological manifestation induced by insecticides (organophosphorades and organochlorades compounds) is reported. Twelve patients were male and farmers and one was a saleslady. The authors adopted five conditions for diagnosis: frequent contact with insecticides, synaptomatology directly related to the compounds exposition, clinical and laboratorial exclusion of others pathologies, quickly improvement of the symptoms when the patients were away from their original environment and high levels of insecticides in blood and urine determination. The clinical data was not uniform and the manifestation include pure motor neuropathy, mixed sensory-motor neuropathy, mielopathy and cranial nerves palsies. No relationship could be established between the insecticides (type, frequency of number of exposition) to the clinical picture. The insecticides determination was positive (moderated or elevated levels) in all patients and in 40% of controls (traces). Eletromyographic studies showed a neuropathic pattern in the majority of cases and reduced motor nerve conduction velocities. The authors believe that insecticides determination has a relative value and others criterion must be used in the diagnosis of chronic illness caused by insecticides. They think that others factors can be related with the symptomatology (hypersensibility, malnutrition, previous sensibilization or cumulative effect).

Adult↗

Consumption of residue containing cucurbitacin feeding stimulant and reduced rates of carbaryl insecticide by western corn rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).

Application of insecticide at a reduced rate with a cucurbitacin-based feeding stimulant is a viable alternative to a broadcast insecticide application for control of adult western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, LeConte. Because of the small amount of material applied, it is conceivable that a high density of beetles could consume all of the spray residue before economic control is achieved. A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the amount of cucurbitacin-based spray residue consumed by beetles. Dried residue of four treatments were exposed to three groups of 10 rootworm beetles for 1 h each. Treatments consisted of a cucurbitacin-based adjuvant (Cidetrak CRW, Trécé, Salinas, CA) with carbaryl insecticide (Sevin XLR Plus, Rhone Poulenc, Research Triangle Park, NC) mixed at 0, 0.12, 1.2, and 12 g (AI)/liter. For the treatment with cucurbitacin adjuvant only (no insecticide), beetles consumed 0.029 mg beetle(-1) h(-1) of exposure. Approximately 54% of the beetles were recorded as feeding at any given time during the 60-min feeding period. However, when the spray residue contained carbaryl, no weight loss of treatment residue was measured, though the beetles were observed to feed from the residue during the first few minutes of exposure. When residue included insecticide, beetles quickly ceased feeding (within 20 min), and toxicity behavior was observed 30 min after initial exposure for up to 75% of the beetles, which were classified as moribund (unable to stand upright). Beetle mortality was recorded 24 h after exposure and demonstrated that male beetles (53% dead for three insecticide treatments) were more susceptible to carbaryl toxicity than female beetles (28% dead for three insecticide treatments). Regression analysis showed a significant positive relationship between mortality of female beetles and ovarian development. Based on the measurements of this experiment, it is unlikely that realistic beetle densities would consume enough spray residue to prevent economic control of the beetle population.

Animals↗

Selective insecticide-induced stimulation on fecundity and biochemical changes in Tryporyza incertulas (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

The use of selective insecticides in rice, Oryza sativa L., fields often causes resurgence of nontarget pest insects. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of two selective insecticides, buprofezin and imidacloprid, on Tryporyza incertulas (Walker), a nontarget pest. After larval feeding on rice plants treated with each insecticide, fecundity, ovary protein content, and titer of juvenile hormone III (JHIII) in the resulting female moths were determined with 'Xiushui 63' rice susceptible to T. incertulas and 'Zhendao 2' moderately resistant to T. incertulas. The fecundity of females developed from larvae that fed on the insecticide-treated Xiushui 63 plants was stimulated compared with that of moths from larvae that fed on rice plants that were not treated with either insecticide. There was no stimulating effect in females from larvae that fed on insecticide-treated Zhendao 2 plants. The weight of fourth instars (final instars) that fed on the insecticide-treated Xiushui 63 rice plants was significantly greater than that of control, increasing by 50.3 and 46.7% for 60 and 112.5 g (AI) ha(-1) buprofezin, and by 23.7 and 19.5% for 15 and 37.5 g (AI) ha(-1) imidacloprid treatments, respectively. Ovary protein content in adult females developed from larvae that fed on the rice treated with the high dose of buprofezin was significantly higher than that in control. For the high and low doses of imidacloprid during the second instar, and the low dose of imidacloprid during the fourth instar, JHIII titers in female adults were also significantly higher than that in control, increasing by 152.81, 90.52, and 114.19%, respectively.

Animals↗

Dinotefuran: a potential neonicotinoid insecticide against resistant mosquitoes.

Because pyrethroid, organophosphate, and carbamate resistance is more and more developed in mosquitoes of medical importance, there is an urgent need for alternative insecticides for vector control. Dinotefuran, a new neonicotinoid insecticide commercialized by Mitsui Chemicals (Tokyo, Japan), could be a useful candidate in public health because it shows low mammalian toxicity and great insecticidal activity against a broad range of pests. In this study, the intrinsic toxicity of dinotefuran was evaluated by larval bioassay and topical application against different mosquito strains of Anopheles gambiae Giles, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Aedes aegypti L. having none, one, or several resistance mechanisms, respectively, to insecticides. The results showed that dinotefuran was less toxic than most of the commonly used insecticides (e.g., deltamethrin, carbosulfan, and temephos) against the susceptible mosquitoes tested (between 6- and 100-fold at the LD50 level). However, the toxicity of dinotefuran was not strongly affected by the presence of common resistance mechanism, i.e., kdr mutation and insensitive acetylcholinesterase (resistance ratio [RR] from 1.3 to 2.3). More interestingly, the carbamate-resistant strain of Cx. quinquefasciatus was significantly more affected by dinotefuran than the susceptible strain (RR = 0.70), probably because the insensitive acetylcholinesterase is less efficient to degrade nicotinic substrates than normal acetylcholinesterase. Despite the relatively low toxicity of dinotefuran against susceptible mosquitoes, the absence of cross-resistance with common insecticides (pyrethroids, carbamates, and organophosphates) makes neonicotinoids potential candidates for disease vector control, especially in area where mosquitoes are resistant to insecticides.

Aedes↗

Comparison of house spraying and insecticide-treated nets for malaria control.

The efficacies of using residual house spraying and insecticide-treated nets against malaria vectors are compared, using data from six recent comparisons in Africa, Asia and Melanesia. By all the entomological and malariological criteria recorded, pyrethroid-treated nets were at least as efficacious as house spraying with dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), malathion or a pyrethroid. However, when data from carefully monitored house spraying projects carried out between the 1950s and 1970s at Pare-Taveta and Zanzibar (United Republic of Tanzania), Kisumu (Kenya) and Garki (Nigeria) are compared with recent insecticide-treated net trials with apparently similar vector populations, the results with the insecticide-treated nets were much less impressive. Possible explanations include the longer duration of most of the earlier spraying projects and the use of non-irritant insecticides. Non-irritant insecticides may yield higher mosquito mortalities than pyrethroids, which tend to make insects leave the site of treatment (i.e. are excito-repellent). Comparative tests with non-irritant insecticides, including their use on nets, are advocated. The relative costs and sustainability of spraying and of insecticide-treated net operations are briefly reviewed for villages in endemic and epidemic situations and in camps for displaced populations. The importance of high population coverage is emphasized, and the advantages of providing treatment free of charge, rather than charging individuals, are pointed out.

Africa↗

Embryonic toxicity of a dimethoate containing insecticide formulation and Cu-sulphate in chicken after individual or combined administration.

The aim of this study was to determine the individual and combined toxic effects of a dimethoate containing insecticide formulation and Cu-sulphate on the development of chicken embryos. The test materials were injected directly into the air-chamber in a volume of 0.1 ml/egg, or eggs were treated by immersion technique on day 12. Applied concentration of Cu-sulphate was 0.01% and the concentration of insecticidE was 0.1%. After the injection treatment of a dimethoate containing insecticide on day 12 of incubation, the average body mass of embryos significantly decreased. The simultaneous injections of Cu-sulphate and a dimethoate containing insecticide a statistically significant reduction in embryonic body mass occurred. Embryonic mortality did not increase after the individual injection of test materials, while the combined injection of Cu-sulphate and a dimethoate containing insecticide killed 30% of embryos treated. After the individual and combined immersion treatment of Cu-sulphate and a dimethoate containing insecticide, the average body mass of embryos did not decrease significantly as compared to the control. After the combined immersion treatment the incidence of embryonic mortality and the number of embryos with developmental anomalies did not differ markedly from the control. In summary, it can be established that the combined injection treatment of Cu-sulphate and a dimethoate containing insecticide caused higher embryotoxicity with respect to the test of the combined immersion treatment of test materials.

Animals↗

Surveillance for acute insecticide-related illness associated with mosquito-control efforts--nine states, 1999-2002.

Ground and aerial applications of insecticides are used to control populations of adult mosquitoes, which spread such diseases as West Nile virus--related illness, eastern equine encephalitis, and dengue fever. This report summarizes investigations of illnesses associated with exposures to insecticides used during 1999-2002 to control mosquito populations in nine states (Arizona, California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington) (estimated 2000 population: 118 million). The findings indicate that application of certain insecticides posed a low risk for acute, temporary health effects among persons in areas that were sprayed and among workers handling and applying insecticides. To reduce the risk for negative health effects, public health authorities should 1) provide public notice of application times and locations and appropriate advice about preventing exposures, 2) ensure that insecticide handlers and applicators meet state-mandated training and experience requirements to prevent insecticide exposure to themselves and the public, and 3) implement integrated pest management control strategies that emphasize mosquito larval control, reduction of mosquito breeding sites, and judicious use of insecticides to control adult mosquito populations.

Arizona↗

Biochemical stress indicators of greater wax moth exposure to organophosphorus insecticides.

Although acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is the primary target of organophosphorus insecticides (OPs), increasing evidence regarding their secondary effects suggests that OPs disturb homeostasis of insects by generating free radical intermediates that trigger lipid peroxidation. We therefore investigated alterations in lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, in conjunction with AChE activity as biochemical stress indicators in greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) larvae for OPs methyl parathion (MP) and ethyl parathion (EP). The effects of MP and EP were first investigated by rearing the young larvae on an artificial diet containing 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ppm of each insecticide. Second, the mature larvae were injected with 0.05, 0.5, 5, 50, and 500 ng of insecticides for determining the changes in biochemical stress responses. The diet with lowest level of MP significantly decreased the activities of all measured enzymes, whereas it increased MDA content. However ALT and AST were significantly higher in the larvae reared with the diet with high levels of MP than in control larvae. All tested levels of MP resulted in a decrease in AChE activity. The lowest level of EP in diet (0.01 ppm) significantly increased ALT activity, whereas it reduced that of AChE. This insecticide at 0.1 ppm resulted in reduced AST activity, but 1 ppm in diet elevated AST activity and MDA content. EP at 0.1 ppm and higher levels in the diet reduced ALT activity. All dietary EP levels significantly decreased AChE activity. ALT, AST, and AChE were lower in larvae fed with the diet containing 100 ppm ethyl parathion compared with larvae on control diet. MP at 50 ng per larva increased ALT and AST activities from 35.42 +/- 0.74 and 26.34 +/- 0.83 to 203.57 +/- 1.09, and 122.90 +/- 1.21 U/g, respectively, when the mature larvae were injected. All injected doses of EP dramatically reduced both ALT and AST activities, but only the lowest and highest levels of this insecticide decreased AChE activity. The lowest level of this insecticide also significantly increased MDA content in larvae. High levels of both insecticides increased MDA content. We observed a significant higher increase in MDA content in the larvae reared with 10 ppm EP (102.16 +/- 1.57 nmol/g protein) than the control group (30.28 +/- 1.42 nmol/g protein). These results suggest that OPs caused the metabolic and synaptic dysfunctions in greater wax moth and alter its biochemical physiology in response to oxidative stress.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

The practical implications of resistance of malaria vectors to insecticides.

Insecticide resistance is an inherent characteristic dependent on relatively simple genetic mechanisms. This seems to be especially true of dieldrin resistance in anopheline mosquitos, though less obvious in DDT resistance among these species; little is known as yet about the inheritance of organophosphate and carbamate resistance as it occurs in Anopheles albimanus. The speed of selection of resistance depends on the original frequency of the gene or genes involved, the nature of the resistance imparted, and the selection pressure of the insecticide. This in turn depends on the inherent toxicity of the chemical, the efficiency with which it is applied, the proportion of the mosquito population coming under its influence, and the behaviour of the mosquito. In the past, too much reliance has been placed on the determination of the LD(50) in assessing the presence or absence of insecticide resistance. Quite high incidences of resistant individuals can result in such small changes in the LD(50) that resistance may be overlooked. The use of single discriminating dosages is advocated, based on concentrations of insecticides that normally kill all susceptible individuals. The authors discuss such dosages in respect of dieldrin and DDT, and put forward newly-established tentative discriminating dosages for organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides, which await field confirmation.From a practical standpoint, an insecticide should not be abandoned or replaced by another as soon as resistance is confirmed. This may not be necessary where the degree of resistance is not high and the vector is not highly efficient. Certain procedures are proposed in order to assess the epidemiological and entomological implications of resistance before the insecticide concerned is abandoned.

Animals↗

Methods of testing and analyzing excito-repellency responses of malaria vectors to insecticides.

A new test system that includes an excito-repellency test box, test procedures, and statistical treatment of data is described. The method consists of enclosing 25 mosquitoes in an exposure chamber lined with insecticide-treated or untreated (control) test papers. Each chamber has a single portal for mosquitoes to escape to a receiving cage, and numbers escaping are manually recorded at 1-min intervals. The exposure chamber accommodates a screened, 2nd chamber that, when placed in the exposure chamber, prevents the mosquitoes from making physical contact with test papers. A full assay utilized one exposure chamber that permits physical contact with insecticide-treated papers, one chamber that permits physical contact with control papers, one chamber that prevents physical contact with insecticide-treated papers, and a 4th chamber that prevents contact with control papers. After insecticide exposure, test populations are held for observations on 24-h mortalities. A survival analysis approach is described for estimating mosquito escape rates and for comparing differences in mosquito escape rates, with or without physical contact with insecticide, among populations, insecticides, and doses of insecticide.

Animals↗

Effects of aerial spraying of insecticides on nontarget macrobenthos in a mountain stream.

The effects of aerial spraying of an insecticide were investigated in a mountain stream using a drift net. The concentration of fenitrothion (organophosphorus insecticide) in the river water increased to ca. 20 micrograms liter-1 3 hr after the spraying and decreased exponentially to half the peak value after 2 hr. A large number of aquatic insects were found drifting after the spraying. The total number of individuals which drifted in the daytime after spraying reached nine times the number found the previous night. The total number of species which drifted during the 24 hr following the spray increased to 43 from 17 on the previous day. Before the insecticide spraying, the drifting benthos were almost entirely made up of three species of Baetis (Ephemeroptera). However, many individuals of several species of Heptageniidae (Ephemeroptera), Apsilochorema sutshanum (Trichoptera), and Chironomidae (Diptera) drifted in addition to Baetis after the spray. A large number of young Baetis, which had not been seen in the natural night drift samples, were found drifting due to the insecticide. Natural night drift almost disappeared from the day following insecticide spraying. At the second insecticide spraying, conducted 20 days after the first, the number of individuals which drifted during the 24 hr following spraying decreased to only 0.85% of that in the first spraying although changes in insecticide concentration showed a similar pattern. Several species of Ephemeroptera were dominant among the fauna in the studied stream, and the causal relationships of this are discussed.

Aerosols↗